West Elm to make Phoenix debut

West Elm is adding to its growing retail footprint.



The home furnishings and decor brand, a division of Williams-Sonoma, will open its first location in Phoenix, in the revitalized Uptown Plaza shopping center, on June 29. The 11,000-sq.-ft. store will include a curated assortment of local products highlighting 10 Arizona-based makers and designers.



“In the late 1950s, Uptown Plaza stood as the harbinger of retail shopping centers, once heralded for offering customers the amenities and conveniences that were ahead of its time,” said West Elm president Alex Bellos. “We are proud to be a part of the continued revitalization of this iconic mid-century modern shopping destination, and look forward to supporting Uptown Plaza’s celebration of small businesses, local artists and the North Central Phoenix community.”



Prior to its restoration in 2014, Uptown Plaza was a 1950s landmark destination, rich in design with exposed brick walls and metal canopies. The new West Elm store will pay homage to the area’s mid-century modern heritage by incorporating motifs from the era into the store’s architectural details. These include a sculptural assemblage that decorates the back cash-wrap with a cube-in-cube pattern made from locally sourced, weathered grey poplar reclaimed from rural fencing.



West Elm operates 99 retail stores in the United States, Australia, Canada and the U.K.